Based on a service at Mayfield chapel this Sunday
Introduction:
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy chapter 31, verse 8)
Song:
Prayer:
Lord, there are many difficult situations around the world, but the one currently in the news is Afghanistan. We simply do not know what to pray for first.
Lord we pray for the people of Afghanistan, that you will be real to them in their struggles.
Especially we pray for the members of the church in that country, as we believe them to be a persecuted, be with them, and guide and strengthen them as they seek to serve you.
We pray for the relief of the suffering of the people, and that you will enable those who wish to leave to be able to do so.
As the restrictions on foreign travel are relaxed, we pray for those travelling, and their well being. We pray that you hand will be on this situation and that there will not be a surge in Covid cases as a result.
We pray for the families of those involved in the recent stabbing in Sheffield city centre. This is a serious situation and we pray that it is a one off.
We give thanks for the response of the boy with a rare genetic condition to the new drug.
Lord we pray that in all situations, you will be sovereign.
Amen
Song:
Jesus is King and I will Extol Him - YouTube
Reading:
Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 6, verses 24 to 34.
Why worry?
There was an early pioneer of aviation attempting to fly round the world. One day, about 2 hours into a flight, he became aware of an unexpected sound, which he quickly identified as the sound of a rodent gnawing. This was potentially serious, as the rodent could have gnawed through something vital such as part of the structure or a control cable. The pilot knew that rodents would not tolerate the thinner air at high altitude, so he climbed and the gnawing ceased. When he landed two hours later, the rodent was discovered, dead, in the engine compartment. The pilot did not allow worry to overcome his response.
Worry cannot survive in sacred places. Prayer will overcome worry.
Worry can lead to fear. The bible counsels us against fear on no less than 366 occasions. One for every day, including in a leap year!
In our lives, we will all suffer, along with the Lord, ultimately, we will all die, and we will go to heaven; so why worry? We will meet family and friends again!
In the sermon on the mount, we are told that many were amazed at Jesu’s teaching, and that many followed as a result. We don’t know how many, just that there were many. Jesus was equipping his disciples for the future, for their mission when they went out without him.
Here, he is teaching them about their response to wealth (Mammon in older translations) and it’s claims on us. We are advised not to love wealth, but to use it wisely. It should not rule our lives, rather the reverse. The world loves money, and indeed for many, money has become a god, or a god-substitute. Jesus’ claims reach tom the bottom of your bank book.
But for many, including some Christians, money can sometimes win. But we are only stewards, everything is on loan from God, we don’t own anything! Forgetting this can lead to many sorrows.
Jesus reminds us that life is more than food drink and clothing, more than fancy trappings, and that we should not worry about such things.
John Lubbock said that “A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.”
Animals and birds do not worry. Humans worry.
And yet, Nothing can be gained by worry; not a day of extra life, not an inch of extra height, can be created by worry. In fact, worry is more likely to shorten life! But still we worry. “O Ye of little faith” said Jesus, and it is “Little faith” that causes us to worry. What we need is a big faith. If we read the promises made to believers in the Bible, we will enlarge our faith because they are marvellous.
Dr Martin Lloyd Jones said “Faith is a refusal to panic.” “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…….”
Worry and worship are mutually exclusive. We must live in the day we are in, not any other day.
Matthew’s gospel, chapter 11, verses 28 to 30 says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
With faith in God we can be constantly be looking to him.
Song:
The Celebration Choir - Trust and Obey [with lyrics] - YouTube
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
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